Arsène Wenger initially called for Martin Taylor to be banned for life from playing football for the high challenge that broke Eduardo da Silva's left leg, before softening his stance last night. But the Birmingham defender denied that there was any malicious intent in the tackle and said he was 'deeply upset' that the Croatia striker had suffered compound fractures of the tibia and fibula.

The Arsenal manager said in the immediate aftermath of the game that neither the red card Taylor received from referee Mike Dean nor the consequent three-match ban were sufficient punishment. 'A three-match ban is a joke. This guy should never play again,' Wenger said. 'The answer is "he's usually not that type of guy". It's like a guy who kills one time in his life - it's enough, you have a dead person. It is absolutely horrendous. If you watch the tackle again you can't say to me this guy has played the ball. It's a joke. Not acceptable.

'It was a very bad tackle. It goes along with the idea that to stop Arsenal you have to kick Arsenal and we knew that thing would happen one day.'

But last night Wenger said: 'It was a highly emotional afternoon and we were all shocked by the injury to Eduardo. On reflection, I feel that my comments about Martin Taylor were excessive. I said what I did immediately after the game in the heat of the moment.'

Wenger added: 'It affected us 100 per cent in the first half, but we also have to look at ourselves. We should have killed the game off earlier and scored the third goal. We didn't do that.

'But I still maintain it was not a free-kick for Birmingham's first goal, it was never a penalty and I am 100 per cent convinced it was a penalty on [Emmanuel] Adebayor.'

Wenger also defended the actions of William Gallas, who kicked an advertising hoarding in frustration after the last-gasp penalty had been awarded for a challenge by Gaël Clichy on Stuart Parnaby. Wenger said: 'William was frustrated and I can understand it because it was a last-minute penalty.'

Taylor swiftly apologised for his tackle and a statement issued by Birmingham said: 'The club are saddened that such a fantastic game of football has been marred by a serious injury sustained to Arsenal player Eduardo. But Martin Taylor is adamant there was no malicious intent in the tackle and he is deeply upset by the extent of Eduardo's injury. Having reviewed the incident, this [the absence of malicious intent] is clearly the case. The club and Martin Taylor would like to send their very best wishes to the player for a speedy recovery.'

Alex McLeish, the Birmingham manager, said: 'Taylor is not a dirty player and Eduardo was just too quick for him. His foot wasn't high, it's on his ankle. But we're absolutely devastated for Eduardo.

'It was never a part of the strategy. I said before the game that I didn't think we had that type of physical play in us. Look at the size of Arsenal's players compared to ours.'

Taylor also received support from Steve Bruce, his manager from 2004 until November. The Wigan boss said: 'I was watching it and you are very saddened. But let me tell you, Martin Taylor is the biggest, gentlest man. There will be nobody more upset and sickened than him. He is an absolute model professional.'

Eduardo, whose 25th birthday is tomorrow, underwent surgery last night. The striker, who joined Arsenal from Dinamo Zagreb last summer, will miss at least the rest of the season, including Euro 2008.